Universal flow device for wells



June 24, 1941. a A HUMASON HAL 2,247,023

UNIVERSAL FLOW DEVICE FOR WELLS Filed Sept. 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T e I I 42cm L'GZAHUMASON Patented June 24, 1941 UNIVERSAL FLOW DEVICE FOR WELLS I Granville A. Hnmason and Walter J. Clay,

Houston, Tex; Humason said Clay casino:- to said Application September 23, 1938, Serial No. 231,316

3 Claims.

The invention relates to a universal flowing device tor wells, which is adaptable to various sets 01' conditions encountered where pressure is applied or accumulates in the well bore.

It is one of the objects oi. the invention to provide a flowing device for wells wherein the liquid to be raised to the surface can be elevated by the introduction oi a flow of fluid under pressure through the casing or the tubing, or through a separate supply pipe or a combination thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flowing string of pipe for wells which carries a series of valves and pressure fluid entries so that liquid may be elevated from the well.

Another object of the invention is to provide entries and valveswhich will permit the reversal of circulation of the pressure fluid so as to flow the well through either the tubing or the casing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a series 01' valve mechanisms to control the direction and flow of pressure fluid in a well.

Still another object o! the invention is to provide a mechanism wherein pressure beneath the packer in a well bore about a flowing string may be utilized in flowing the well and at the same time, preventing the application of excessive pressures to the producing formation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flowing device for wells wherein the pressure fluid is introduced at spaced stages, each stage oi which will be individually closed unless the pressure being introduced exceeds that on the inside of the tubing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a choke in the entry passage for pressure fluid in a well flowing device.

Other and further objects 01' the invention will be readily apparent when the following description is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation with certain parts shown in section of a well which has been equipped with the flowing device 01 this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation which is a continuation of the apparatus below that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the bottom end oi the assembly which extends below Fig. 2.

Figs. 4, and 6 are sections taken on the lines 4-4, 5-5 and 66, respectively, of Fig. l.

lg. 'l is a broken elevation showing the parts in section to illustrate a coupling wherein there can be no inlet 01 pressure fluid from the casing so that the only entry tor fluid is from the supply pipe shown at the left side oi the flgure.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a modification of the construction which utilizes the accumulated gas pressure above the liquid in the well.

Fig. 3 shows the casing -2 which extends down into the well bore substantially to the elevation of the producing formation. It is-then usual to arrange a liner 3 to extend down into the producing formation and this liner may have a strainer or screen connected through which the oil and gas will flow. The liner 3 is shown as having been sealed with a packer 4 in the lower end of the casing.

It is usual to lower the producing string, whic is indicated generally at 1, into the well bore and permit it to project down into the liner 8 so that it will be submerged a sufficient distance that pressure from the well will cause the oil to enter the lower end of this string I through the loot piece 8. This toot piece 8 is carried by a coupling 9, which is in turn connected to a nipple II. A choke I I may be positioned in the nipple ll so as to restrict the rate 01' flow to a predetermined amount. A standing valve I4 is carried on the upper end of the internal coupling i5 and is arranged to be normally held in closd position by a spring it, which abuts the upper end of a cage I'I. When the pressure from below exceeds that from above the valve M will open.

Surmounting the structure just described is another nipple 20 which may have the passage therethrough closed at its lower end by a plug 2|.

This nipple 20 carries a standing valve 22, which is similar in all respects to the valve id. The nipple 20, however, has a side inlet 24 therein, which is of a predetermined size so as toadmlt any pressure which accumulates in the chamber 25 inside of the liner 2.

The nipple '20 is provided with a choke I! in spaced relation with the standing valve 22 to form a chamber 23 oi. sufllcient volume that gaseous fluid compressed therein in normal operation of the device will be instrumental in facilitating the aeration and lifting of fluid within the producing string 1.

If the pressure accumulating in the chambers 23 and 25 exceeds the strength of the spring I on the valve 22 plus the back pressure which is exerted thereon from above, then, of course, fluid will pass through the valve 22 and into the tubing string 1. A plurality of circumierentially arranged passages 28 are provided through the nipple 20 sothat there'may be a flow of fluid upwardly through the string around the plug 2i and without aflecting the standing valve 22.

A mandrel '29 carries a sealing or packing element 30 above the nipple 20 and this packing From the foregoing construction it seems obvious that any pressure accumulating in the chamber which might exceed the pressure enteringthefootpiecelcanbeequalixedbecauseof the arrangement of the valve 22 and the passages 2| In some wells where there is a suilicient inflow ofgas theflowofoilandgascanpassupwardly through the tubing string beyond the valve 22. This flow will enter the third nipple 32 .which is connected to the top of the mandrel 20. This nipple 32 has a e 21 therethroush and carries the standing valve 33 the same as previously described for valves l4 and 22. The nipple 32 is also provided with a choke I.

In order to direct the flow of liquid from below through the inside of the nipple 32 a ring valve 33 has been shown as closing the series of passages 23 through the mpple 32. This is an upwardly closing valve and is normally held in closed position by the spring 36 so that there can be no upflow through these passages 28 but all of the flow will be compelled to pass through the valve 33. Surmounting the coupling 32 is still another coupling 33, which is quite similar to the coupling 20 in that it has a side inlet 24 and also carries a closure plug 2|. Passages 24 therethrough permit the flow of fluid around the valve 33 which is similar to the valve 22.

In order to assist the flowing operation a supply pipe 40 is shown as extending down into the well in the chamber 4| above the packer and between the tubing and the casing. This supply pipe is connected to the nipple 33 and will direct a flow of fluid under pressure through the opening 24 into the tubing string.

In the flowing operation fluid under pressure may be introduced through the supply pipe 40 into the nipple 38, thence into the chamber 23 below the valve 39 whence the fluid is discharged into the tubing in order to asist in aerating and elevating the liquid which enters the tubing from below. The check valve 39, however, prevents the escape of any liquid back into the supply pipe 40.

Above the nipple 38 is still another nipple 45, which has a side outlet 24 exactly the same as the coupling 20. No plug is positioned in this nipple, however, and the outlet 24 is open to the chamber or reservoir 4| between the casing and tubing. Thus pressure fluid can be introduced into the tubing from the reservoir 4| or from the supply pipe 40, as desired. If for any reason there should be an accumulation of pressure in the reservoir 4| it would immediately be equalized with the pressure in the tubing through the choke l3, the chamber 23 and the valve 46.

The arrangement of the valves, nipples and pressure fluid entries may be repeated to provide as many stages for flowing the well as may be found necessary, dependent upon the pressures 'encounteredQthe depth of the well, and the speciflc gravity and the gas-oil ratio which must be complied with. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein like reference characters are applied to parts above identified.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show the arrangement of the parts as shown in section on the respective section lines of Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 shows a coupling 50, such as 20, 45, etc. wherein there is no side inlet 24. This type of nipple will be provided when there is to be no inflow of pressure fluid from the chamber 4| between the casing 2 and the tubing string I.

Fig. 8 illustrates a modification of the construction for utilisation of the gas which accumulates within the liner 3 and above the liquid level in the well. In this modification the mandrel 2| is provided with a downward extension II to which is attached a nipple 24' having an axial bore which is closed at its lower end by means of a bull plug 2|. which serves to increase the volume of the chamber within which gas is compressed preliminary to the lifting of valve 22 and the consequent aeration of the superposed liquid. It

istobenotedthattheuseofabullplugofany desired length may be used in the stead of the plug 2| as illustrated in the various stages of the device of the invention.

A radial passage 24' in the embodiment of Fig. 8 connects the axialbore of the nipple 24' with a standpipe 5| extending upwardly to a point closely adjacent the lower end of the packer 30. Through this construction gas accumulating beneath the packer is admitted through a perforated bull plug 52 to the pipe 5| whence it passes through a choke 53 and a downwardly opening check valve 54 to the interior of the tubing. This construction enables the use of accumulated pressure from a large chamber at the upper end of the liner and also provides a relatively large chamber generally designated as 23' beneath the valve 22' so that a material volume of compressed gas is available foraeration the instant the valve 22' is lifted from its seat.

In operation of the device of the invention the parts will be assembled as shown in the drawings and lowered into the well bore. element 30 engages the top of the liner the chambers 25 and 4| will thus be formed.

If there is sufflcient inflow and pressure in the well bore the well may flow due to such pressures and no pressure need be applied either through the supply pipe 40 or into the reservoir 4| between the tubing and casing.

If it is found that there is insufllcient flow to elevate the fluid then pressure may be introduced into the well through the supply pipe 40. This pressure will'be available at all of the inlets 24 to which the pipe 40 is connected and inasmuch as the static head of liquid inside of the tubing I will be less at the uppermost inlet 24 the pressure will enter this inlet, open the valve thereabove and in this maner flow into the tubing 1 to effect discharge of the liquid above that inlet. It is to be understood of course that when pressure is applied through the supply pipe 40 to the connected inlets 24 the chamber or reservoir 4| will be closed at some level within the well or at the surface so that fluid will rise within the reservoir for only a limited distance.

Naturally the discharge of this body of liquid reduces the static head in the next lower inlet 24 and the pressure fluid will then begin to enter this next lower inlet to discharge the next stage of the apparatus. This operation will continue until all of the liquid has been discharged down' to the elevation of the inlet 24 in the nipple 33. There will, of course, be an inflow of pressure fluid at each of the nipples in the string but the choke, such as is provided in each of the nipples, may be of such size that it will not permit an excess of pressure fluid to enter but only sufficient volume of such fluid to effect a steady flow of the well.

The check valves at each stage prevent any back now therethrough into the supply pipe to so that a uniform and smoothly operating apparatus has been provided.

In event the pressure fluid is to be introduced When the sealing into the reservoir between the tubing and casing rather than through the supply pipe 40, then, of course, the pressure fluid will enter the inlets 24 inthose couplings, such as 45, which inlets are not connected to the supply pipe 40. The operation will be the same regardless of whether the pressure fluid is introduced into the reservoir 4! or through the supply pipe 40.

In some instances it may be desirable to reverse the flowing of the well and apply the pressure through-the tubing string 1 so that the production will be upwardly through the reservoir ll to the surface. In other instances it is desirable to wash the well and for this reason the valve 35 has been provided. This valve is a downwardly opening valve and when pressure accumulates in the tubing 1, which is in excess of the pressure inside of the mandrel 29, then this pressure will collapse the spring 36 and the fluid forced into the tubing I can other the mandrel 29.

At the bottom of Fig. 2 the mandrel 29 is shown as having a seat 60 therein which connects to the 'ports 6| extending upwardly and laterally from the inside of the mandrel to the seat 60. The seat 60 is closed by a ring valve 62.normally held closed by a spring 63. In view of the existence of the check valves 22 and I4 aniexcessive pressure in the tubing I will open this valve 62 and permit the pressure to escape into the reservoir 4|. If there should be an accumulation of oil or other liquid in this reservoir it can be expelled in this I manner. If the supply pipe 40 is not to be used and it is contemplated that a direct flow from the reservoir 4| into the tubing is desired, then nipples of the type shown by the nipple 50 in Fig. 7 will be provided.

This last arrangement for flowing through the casing rather than the tubing may be of advantage where the oil accumulates in a well by heads and pressure applied to the tubing periodically will discharge this liquid into the reservoir 4| without putting any increased pressure on the formation. When the oil has been discharged from the tubing into the casing the pressure can be removed and the ring valve 62 will prevent the oil from returning to the tubing 50' that when the pressure is reduced at the surface in the tubing I the well will again be permitted to head-up by flowing oil directly into the tubing from the formation.

In some instances it is desired toreverse the circulation in a well in order to start the flowing thereof by introducing pressure fluid through the supply pipe 40, because in some instances there may be accumulation of: too great a head of liquid in the tubing to institute a flow and by applying pressure to the tubing. I from above the static head the static head may be reducedand when this pressure is relieved the predomi-.

ll will serve to flow the well. Y

nant pressure then available in the supply pipe ways in the walls of the nipple to admit fluid upwardly past the check valve, means closing the lower end of the central bore in the nipple, a choke in thenipple in spaced relation with said check valve forming a chamber between the choke and the valve, an opening from the exterior of the nipple below the choke and means for applying fluid under pressure through the opening to said choke and valve.

2. A well flowing device comprising a casing, a tubing therein, a standing valve in the tubing below the normal liquid level in the well, a packer between the tubing and casing above the standing valve, whereby upper and lower chambers are formed in the casing, there being openings from the interior to the exterior of the tubing above the packer, a valve seat on the exterior of the tubing, said openings terminating in said valve seat, a valve, means resiliently urging said valve into engagement with said seat to close the openings, a plurality of spaced nipples in the tubing above said openings each of said nipples having at least one longitudinal passage for the flow of fluids longitudinally of the tubing, each of said nipples also having a passage leading from the exterior to the interior thereof, and an inwardly opening valve in each of said last mentioned passages. I

3. A well flowing device comprising a casing, a tubing therein, a standing valve below the normal liquid level in the well, a passage through the wall of the tubing above the standing valve, an inwardly opening valve in said passage, a packer between the tubing and casing above said passage whereby upper and lower chambers are formed in the casing, a plurality of spaced nipples in the tubing above the packer each of said nipples having at least one longitudinal passage for the flow of fluids longitudinally of tubing. GRANVILLE A. HUMASON.

WAL'I'ER J. CLAY. 

